News compiled by Ginny Leap from past issues of Switzerland County newspapers
10 YEARS AGO
The Switzerland County High School Marching Band and Drill Team received first and second place honors at last Saturday’s Octoberfest parade held in Seymour. The band placed first among six bands, including bands from bigger schools. The drill team turned in an impressive second place finish among nine drill teams, Both squads performed flawlessly, and their hard work was evident as the large crowds responded with huge rounds of applause.
Switzerland County Schools have received official word from the Indiana Department of Education about the 1995-96 ISTEP scores, and the results show generally excellent marks in all three county schools, with one minor problem in one area. Switzerland County High School has been named a Four-Star school for the first time in its history. Switzerland County Elementary exceeded the expected performance levels in all areas, other than math.
It started on a dare 23 years ago, and has grown into one of the most popular events that is held in Switzerland County. The Bennington Homecoming will again bring hundreds of visitors to that tiny community this Saturday for a variety of games, events, and just plain fun. For Betty Bovard, the organizer, the charm of the Bennington Homecoming lies in its relaxed atmosphere.
Eddie and Jean Purnell of Madison, formerly of Switzerland County, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday, October 13th, with a reception at The Pines in Madison.
15 YEARS AGO
Marie Lauderbaugh’s many friends, and the many students she taught at Vevay High School, will help her celebrate her birthday Sunday afternoon. A gathering is planned from 2 to 4 o’clock at the Vevay United Methodist Church. It will be Mrs. Lauderbaugh’s 90th birthday, which may surprise some folks who know her.
Autumn’s harvest is extra bountiful this year: James Brown of Bennington grew an apple weighing 1 pound, 1 ounce and a sweet potato topping the scales at 4 pounds, 2 ounces. Shawn Darbro, 11 years old, grew a pumpkin weighing 150 pounds, more or less. Jimmy Leap of Vevay found a massive puff ball in the woods near Florence. He said he plans to paint it orange and use it as a pumpkin for Halloween. George Boulton of Patton Hollow grew a monstrous sweet potato that weighed 5 pounds, 8 ounces. Denny McNeely of near Patriot caught a beautiful bass last Saturday “in a pond” that weighed 9 pounds, 7 ounces.
20 YEARS AGO
Five-year-old David Lock wandered away from his home Friday, October 10th, with his dog, and family, friends and strangers flocked to the scene to search for the boy. The family of Billy and Terri Lock and their two children, including David and a younger sister, live near Minute Creek just off State Road 56 near Lamb in Switzerland County. Terri noticed her son missing at around 10:30 a.m. and searched for him alone for a couple of hours. Dozens of volunteers then searched for over six more hours before locating David about three miles from his home, at a cabin near a dry creek bed. The mixed breed shepherd dog, Lady, reportedly stood faithfully by the boy’s side and almost didn’t let volunteers pick up David.
The First National Bank of Vevay has announced that it has a new president, Edward R. Clapham of Madison has been appointed effective Tuesday, October 14th. He has approximately 30 years of banking experience.
the Vevay Athletic Club will sponsor the Harem Scarem costume contest on Halloween night, October 31st. No Halloween parade has been organized for this year. Trick-or-treating in Vevay will take place from 7 to 9 p.m.
30 YEARS AGO
Mrs. Opha Arnett, 69, was killed shortly before midnight Friday when a propane gas explosion wrecked her hoe near Moorefield. Almost miraculously, Mrs. Arnett’s husband, Chester, 69, escaped injury. Mrs. Arnett had apparently been working in the kitchen above the basement when the explosion occurred. Mr. Arnett was asleep in an upstairs bedroom.
Winner of the Bennington Homecoming’s “Garden Sweepstakes” for the biggest garden product on display was Helen Smith, who grew a massive 75-pound pumpkin in the yard of her home in Florence.
“Tony” and “Colonel”, two fine ponies owned by Jim Ellegood, of Moorefield, won the New Hampshire Fall Round-Up last weekend. The well-known event attracted teams from 21 states and Canada, but it was the twosome from Switzerland County that took top honors. They weigh about 2,300 pounds, and were driven in the competition by Johnny Stover, of Circleville, Ohio.
Last Tuesday night was a very thrilling occasion for Mrs. Lucille Skelcher who received her golden 50-year pin denoting those many years of service to Eastern Star.
40 YEARS AGO
Gerald E. Shadday and Mrs. Dorothy Burley have been elected to represent Switzerland County as directors of Community Mental Health Clinic, Inc. Shadday is deputy prosecuting attorney in this county, while Mrs. Burley is county health nurse.
Marine Pfc. Floyd W. Bond, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry R. Bond of rural route 1, Patriot, has been congratulated by his executive officer, Major Harry H. Bair upon receiving a Marine Corps dress blues uniform, awarded at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. Pfc. Bond competed with approximately 80 recruits for the award which is presented to the honorman of each platoon.
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Searcy, whose golden wedding anniversary is November 19th, will observe the occasion Sunday, November 20th, with open house at their farm home near Lee, Florida. The Searcys are former residents of Posey Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Brameier will reach their 50th wedding anniversary November 1st and will recognize the event with an open house from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. November 6th at their rural route 2, Rising Sun, residence.
Vevay’s Gareth Furnish overcame two accidents to bring his go-kart across the finish line in first place to win the track championship in Elizabeth, Kentucky, Sunday afternoon. The winner received a 40-inch high trophy for his performance in the dual engine competition. He was able to finish the race despite being involved in two accidents in which two other karts were damaged and left unable to continue.
50 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Everett Jackson, Vevay, announce the engagement of their daughter, Mona Lee, to Mr. Marvin Wilson, Jr., son of Mrs. Marie Osborn of Vevay. Mr. Wilson is employed at Johnson and Wiley Sinclair Service Station and Miss Jackson is employed at the Reveille-Enterprise-Democrat office.
James A. Browning, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Browning, Vevay Route 4, and Mary K. Klontz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Klontz of Cedarville, Ohio were united in marriage Saturday evening, October 27th, at the Methodist parsonage in Vevay by Reverend H. G. Ramsey.
Leonard J. Rucker of Hope, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Rucker of Spring Branch, Switzerland County, has been awarded $600 by the Cummins Engine Company, Inc., of Columbus for his suggestion to change location of the regular valve in the Cummins “PT” fuel pump. Adoption of his suggestion has greatly simplified engine testing procedure.
Miss Anna Olcott of Patriot will observe her 100th birthday on November 6th, at the home of her niece, Mrs. Dorothy Lowe, where she resides.
Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Chittenden have received announcement of the birth of a 6 pound, 12 ounce son on Friday, October 26th, to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rhodehammel (nee Barbara Chittenden) of Valparaiso.
60 YEARS AGO
Dr. Robert Zink of Madison is completing arrangements to open an office in Vevay and begin the practice of medicine here.
Reverend L.S. Courtney officiated at two wedding ceremonies Saturday afternoon at his residence in Vevay. Miss Dorothy J. Jahnigen became the bride of Roy R. Black, both of Osgood. Miss Doris Ruth Black became the bride of Lewis H. Huncke, both of Versailles.
Twin sons, Larry Jean and Garry Dean, were born Friday, October 18th, to Mr. and Mrs. Chester McAllister.
Miss Lucille Uhlman and Raymond Anderson, both of Switzerland County, were married in Carrollton, Kentucky, Tuesday, October 22nd.
Born Tuesday, October 22nd, a son, to Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Gardner, of route 1, Bennington.
Mrs. Vesta Day and Dean Adams were united in marriage Sunday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Trimble by Reverend Leland Courtney.
Born a son to Mr. and Mrs. James M. Wiley on October 6th.
Born, a daughter, Faith Ann, to Mr. and Mrs. James Smith of Bennington on October 12th.
Born, Sunday, October 20th, a son, William Franklin, to Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Sullivan, Jr.
Born, a daughter, Rosemary, to Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Chapman of Posey Township.
Born, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Shannon of Posey Township.
70 YEARS AGO
Born, Sunday, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hyde of Mount Sterling.
Born, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Roy Kinman of Markland.
Born, Tuesday, a son to Mr. and Mrs. David Cotton of Vevay.
Born, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Carl Furnish of Vevay.
The 50th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Thieman of near Bear Branch was celebrated Sunday with a pitch-in dinner and many relatives and friends attended.
Charlie Stoops has brought to this office an ear of Ayler’s Yellow Dent corn which measures 9 inches in circumference, 12 inches long, contains 24 rows with 1,484 grains.
Earl O’Day was painfully injured Saturday when he fell from the Corns dairy truck with five bottles of milk in his hands. Broken glass severely cut his hands and knees.
80 YEARS AGO
The home of David Allen and family of near Fairview was ransacked and robbed of $27 last Thursday afternoon.
Professor Omer C. Cunningham of the State College of New Mexico and Professor Walter Cunningham of Tucson, Arizona, are visiting their parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Cunningham.
Miss Caroline Reed and Jesse Jewell, both of Craig Township, were married in Vevay last Tuesday by Reverend F.E. Hammel.
the Switzerland County Ku Klux Klan held a parade and speaking in Vevay Saturday night, which was attended by several hundred people. Reverend Baylor of Cincinnati delivered an address in the courthouse yard.
90 YEARS AGO
Frank Rosenberger now has his new saw mill almost ready to begin operations.
M.P. Creath of Aurora arrived in Vevay Monday and took charge of the Vevay creamery.
Born October 18th, a son, William Lawrence to Mr. and Mrs. Ben Welch of Bennington.
Kiesel Cole has opened a printing shop in Lawrenceburg.
James Farrell celebrated his 79th birthday October 22nd. He is a Civil War veteran.
Married in Vevay October 25th, Miss Cordelia Herrick and S. M. Hickman.
The dedication services of the Vevay Christian Church were conducted Sunday by Evangelist Fred R. Davies.
Miss Marvel Riley who is attending the Louisville Conservatory of Music is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Riley in Craig Township.
100 YEARS AGO
Gard Marshall, 12, is in a serious condition at his home in Florence as the result of an accident in which a rifle bullet entered his left eye, destroying the sight and lodging in his head.
Clarence Plew is confined to his home with a broken leg received while wrestling with some friends.
Mrs. Jennie Knox and Mrs. Mayme Grisard will open a dancing school here soon.
Married in Vevay October 21st Frank Fish and Edna Shadday.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Cole of Center Square on October 15th, a baby girl.
110 YEARS AGO
Little Marguerite Bascom is slowly recovering from a severe fever at her home in Center Square.
Honorable Lucien Shaw, formerly of Vevay, now of Los Angeles, California, is a candidate for reelection as juste of Superior Court.
Frank Huffman of near Long run is dangerously ill with typhoid fever.
Free toll on all roads leading into Vevay next Saturday for everybody whether coming to the political rally or not.
130 YEARS AGO
Last Tuesday night burglars entered the store of Mr. Letcher by boring out a panel of a door and carried away clothing and notions amounting to $150.
Eli Anderson and family have returned to Vevay from Cincinnati for residence.
Dr. P. C. Holland of Bennington is taking a course at Bellevue Hospital College in New York City.
While working Friday at the furniture factory Kansas Hollcroft had the thumb of his left hand nearly cut off by a rip saw.
The barn of Omer Wiley near Markland burned with its contents Tuesday night. Included was a $500 threshing machine.
Married October 19th by Reverend S. Adkinson, Miss Sarah Eads and Allen Bright.
Married October 24th by Reverend Beagle, Miss E. E. Stephenson and Alfred Reed.
James Wakefield, 70, a farmer of Craig Township was found dead on a road near Braytown. His horse was standing nearby and it is believed that the animal stumbled and fell upon Mr. Wakefield. The aged man’s neck and one of his legs were broken.
Married October 25th at Patriot by Esquire John W. Shirey, Miss Bell McHuron and Lemuel Emerson.
Married October 24th at Patriot by Esquire E. H. Candorin, Miss Melvina Laird and James Owens.
Married October 25th by Esquire Shirey at Patriot, Miss Jennie Douglas and Thomas Mountz.
140 YEARS AGO
A steering apparatus for use of pilots on steamboats has been invented by Frank Dupraz and is patented and owned by a company composed of E.P. Dupraz, S.M. Dumont and J. Dickason.
Hall and Lewis have moved their store into the room on Ferry Street recently vacated by George Paull.
One night last week thieves broke into the shoe shop of James Thompson and stole about $50 worth of boots and shoes.
One night last week rowdies disfigured the business house of William Smith with black paint.
152 YEARS AGO
Married October 26th, Reverend Griffith, Miss Sarah A. Alfrey and George Arnold.
Married October 11th by W. H. Jack, Esquire, Miss Martha Moseby and Alex Searcy.
Married October 12th, Miss Emaline Protsman and George W. Hagerman.
Married October 14th by Reverend John W. Bradley, Rebecca J. Minor and John A. Ridenour.